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Tom Monto

Being a pedestrian can be a chancy affair

Starting to cross 81 Avenue south to north on the east side of 101 Street the other day, I heard a car coming fast. i couldn't see it cause of parked cars. But knowing there was a stop sign I felt confident that I was in the right to do so.


As I got to the middle of road the car did screech to stop. Perhaps driver had intended to blow right through the intersection or at least not to stop at the sign but far past it.


I walked in front of the car and past it. Whew, safe at last.


Then the driver yelled out the window:


"Aren't you supposed to look before you cross?"


I didn't bother getting in a discussion on our respective rights in this case. I could not see it creating either joy nor enlightenment.


I bet the city could pay off its debt by putting a patrol car at that intersection and ticketing westbound cars missing the stop sign, or sliding right through and turning right.


As a minimum it should paint a crosswalk here.


Of course, the 40-foot-plus-wide (14-metre-plus-wide) roads at this intersection do not help to dampen speeds or make pedestrian crossings safer and as quick as possible. Pinching of the intersection is needed here for sure.


keywords: Edmonton city hall, pedestrian, traffic, public safety


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